Oil Prices Rise, European Stocks Expected to Open Higher
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 16 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Oil Price Surge: As of Friday, oil prices are on track for weekly gains, with U.S. crude prices topping $100 per barrel again on Sunday, despite the U.S. issuing a 30-day license for countries to purchase Russian oil, indicating market sensitivity to Middle Eastern tensions.
- European Market Outlook: European stocks are expected to open positively, with the U.K.'s FTSE index projected to rise by 0.26%, Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 up by 0.2%, and Italy's FTSE MIB increasing by 0.4%, reflecting investor optimism amid geopolitical unrest.
- Impact of Military Operations: The ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran remain a key focus for global markets, potentially leading to further oil price volatility, which could affect investor confidence and market stability.
- Central Bank Meetings: This week, the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of England will hold policy meetings, although the Middle East conflict has dampened expectations for interest rate movements, keeping market participants on alert for central bank policy directions.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy CVX?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on CVX
Wall Street analysts forecast CVX stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 186.640
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
Current: 186.640
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
About CVX
Chevron Corporation is an integrated energy company. The Company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and industry. The Company’s segments include Upstream and Downstream. Upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with LNG; transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; processing, transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; carbon capture and storage; and a gas-to-liquids plant. Downstream operations consist primarily of the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels, and transporting of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
ENEOS to Acquire Chevron's Stake in Singapore Refining Company for $2.2B
- Acquisition Scale: ENEOS Holdings announced a $2.2 billion deal to acquire Chevron's 50% stake in the Singapore Refining Company along with additional assets in Southeast Asia and Australia, significantly enhancing its market position in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Strategic Importance: ENEOS CEO Tomohide Miyata stated that this investment will strengthen the business platform connecting Japan with Southeast Asia and Oceania, integrating competitive strengths from each market to advance the Group's growth to the next stage.
- Expected Completion Timeline: The parties anticipate that the transaction will close in the calendar year 2027, providing ENEOS ample time for integration and strategic planning.
- Market Reaction: This acquisition is viewed as a crucial move for ENEOS to further expand in the global energy market, potentially enhancing its competitiveness and market share in the oil and gas industry.
See More
Berkshire's 13-F Filing Under New CEO Reveals Strategic Investment Shifts
- Stable Apple Holdings: Berkshire maintained its stake in Apple at approximately 228 million shares, which, while below the historical peak of over 900 million shares, still represents 22% of its equity portfolio, reflecting confidence in Apple's long-term value.
- Significant Google Investment: Berkshire's share count in Alphabet surged from about 17.85 million to roughly 58 million, pushing the position's value to nearly $17 billion, indicating CEO Abel's strong confidence and willingness to invest in tech stocks.
- Exploration of New Investment Areas: The new $2.65 billion stake in Delta Air Lines and a minor position in Macy's signal Abel's readiness to enter sectors previously avoided by Buffett, further diversifying the investment portfolio.
- Aggressive Sell-offs: Berkshire exited positions in Amazon, Visa, Mastercard, and others, while slashing its stake in Constellation Brands by 95%, indicating Abel's intent to reshape the investment strategy and reinforce his personal style.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Oil Prices Up, Devon Energy's Outlook Appears Promising
- Oil Price Impact: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has driven oil prices higher, with Devon Energy's free cash flow yield projected to reach 15% at $90 per barrel and 21% at $110, making it an attractive option for investors in the current market.
- Strong Market Performance: Devon Energy's stock has risen by 4.76%, currently priced at $49.49 with a market cap of $57 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in its performance amid rising oil prices, alongside a gross margin of 23.26%.
- Long-Term Investment Consideration: While Devon Energy shows strong potential during oil price increases, its volatility may deter long-term investors who might prefer a company like Chevron, which offers a 3.8% dividend yield and is better positioned for potential oil price declines.
- Diversification Advantage: Chevron's operations span the entire energy value chain with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, showcasing its financial stability and ability to provide consistent returns to investors throughout the energy cycle, making it a suitable choice for long-term holdings.
See More
Oil Price Surge Warning: Gulf Situation Impact
- Oil Shortage Warning: At the Milken Global Conference, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth highlighted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to tight global crude oil inventories, reminiscent of the 1970s oil crisis, presenting potential investment opportunities, particularly benefiting U.S. downstream and midstream energy companies.
- ConocoPhillips' Advantage: ConocoPhillips operates far from the Middle East conflict, with production concentrated in oil-rich regions like Alaska and Texas, positioning it to benefit significantly from soaring oil prices due to supply shocks, which may lead to increased quarterly dividends and share repurchase plans.
- Energy Transfer's Distribution Growth: As a master limited partnership, Energy Transfer boasts a forward dividend yield of 6.75%, and in light of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, it is expected to exceed its previous annual distribution growth target of 3%-5% due to rising demand for U.S. oil exports.
- Occidental Petroleum's Potential Gains: Occidental Petroleum's stock has surged 38% year-to-date, and if supply shocks persist, its earnings could exceed analyst forecasts of $5.42 per share, with potential for stock prices to reach high double-digit levels if oil prices continue to rise.
See More
Berkshire Hathaway's Major Portfolio Overhaul Under Greg Abel
- Portfolio Restructuring: Under Greg Abel's leadership, Berkshire Hathaway's equity portfolio underwent significant changes in the first three months, adding Delta Air Lines and Macy's, indicating a renewed focus on the airline and retail sectors.
- Massive Alphabet Stake Increase: Berkshire increased its stake in Google's parent company Alphabet by 224% in Q1, making it the company's seventh-largest holding with a market value of $16.6 billion, and the stock has rallied 38% since, showcasing the success of this decision.
- Reduction in Holdings: Abel dramatically cut the number of companies in the portfolio, selling off major stakes including Amazon and Visa, with Amazon's shares reduced from 10 million to 2.3 million, reflecting a significant strategic shift in investment focus.
- Return to Delta Airlines: Berkshire purchased 39.8 million shares of Delta Air Lines in Q1, currently valued at $2.8 billion, marking the company's first return to airline stocks since 2020, demonstrating confidence in the recovery of the airline industry.
See More
Analysis of Long-Term Investment Potential in Energy Stocks
- Chevron's Growth Potential: Chevron operates in 180 countries and is expected to achieve a 23% CAGR in EPS from 2025 to 2028, primarily driven by the expansion of its Tengiz Field in Kazakhstan and production growth in the U.S., showcasing its strong competitive position in the global energy market.
- Williams Companies' Market Positioning: As a midstream company, Williams operates over 33,000 miles of pipelines, with analysts projecting an 11% CAGR in adjusted EBITDA from 2025 to 2028, benefiting from sustained demand for natural gas, particularly in the AI and data center sectors.
- Brookfield Renewable's Green Energy Strategy: Brookfield Renewable has established 47 GW of renewable capacity and secured long-term power agreements with major clients like Microsoft and Google, with expected adjusted EBITDA growth of 5% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, indicating strong growth potential in the renewable energy sector.
- Attractiveness of Energy Stocks: All three companies offer sustainable high dividend yields, with Chevron, Williams, and Brookfield yielding 3.8%, 2.7%, and 4.3% respectively, providing stable returns for investors amidst economic fluctuations, enhancing their appeal as long-term investments.
See More
ENEOS to Acquire Chevron's Stake in Singapore Refining Company for $2.2B
- Acquisition Scale: ENEOS Holdings announced a $2.2 billion deal to acquire Chevron's 50% stake in the Singapore Refining Company along with additional assets in Southeast Asia and Australia, significantly enhancing its market position in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Strategic Importance: ENEOS CEO Tomohide Miyata stated that this investment will strengthen the business platform connecting Japan with Southeast Asia and Oceania, integrating competitive strengths from each market to advance the Group's growth to the next stage.
- Expected Completion Timeline: The parties anticipate that the transaction will close in the calendar year 2027, providing ENEOS ample time for integration and strategic planning.
- Market Reaction: This acquisition is viewed as a crucial move for ENEOS to further expand in the global energy market, potentially enhancing its competitiveness and market share in the oil and gas industry.
See More
Berkshire's 13-F Filing Under New CEO Reveals Strategic Investment Shifts
- Stable Apple Holdings: Berkshire maintained its stake in Apple at approximately 228 million shares, which, while below the historical peak of over 900 million shares, still represents 22% of its equity portfolio, reflecting confidence in Apple's long-term value.
- Significant Google Investment: Berkshire's share count in Alphabet surged from about 17.85 million to roughly 58 million, pushing the position's value to nearly $17 billion, indicating CEO Abel's strong confidence and willingness to invest in tech stocks.
- Exploration of New Investment Areas: The new $2.65 billion stake in Delta Air Lines and a minor position in Macy's signal Abel's readiness to enter sectors previously avoided by Buffett, further diversifying the investment portfolio.
- Aggressive Sell-offs: Berkshire exited positions in Amazon, Visa, Mastercard, and others, while slashing its stake in Constellation Brands by 95%, indicating Abel's intent to reshape the investment strategy and reinforce his personal style.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Oil Prices Up, Devon Energy's Outlook Appears Promising
- Oil Price Impact: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has driven oil prices higher, with Devon Energy's free cash flow yield projected to reach 15% at $90 per barrel and 21% at $110, making it an attractive option for investors in the current market.
- Strong Market Performance: Devon Energy's stock has risen by 4.76%, currently priced at $49.49 with a market cap of $57 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in its performance amid rising oil prices, alongside a gross margin of 23.26%.
- Long-Term Investment Consideration: While Devon Energy shows strong potential during oil price increases, its volatility may deter long-term investors who might prefer a company like Chevron, which offers a 3.8% dividend yield and is better positioned for potential oil price declines.
- Diversification Advantage: Chevron's operations span the entire energy value chain with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, showcasing its financial stability and ability to provide consistent returns to investors throughout the energy cycle, making it a suitable choice for long-term holdings.
See More
Oil Price Surge Warning: Gulf Situation Impact
- Oil Shortage Warning: At the Milken Global Conference, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth highlighted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to tight global crude oil inventories, reminiscent of the 1970s oil crisis, presenting potential investment opportunities, particularly benefiting U.S. downstream and midstream energy companies.
- ConocoPhillips' Advantage: ConocoPhillips operates far from the Middle East conflict, with production concentrated in oil-rich regions like Alaska and Texas, positioning it to benefit significantly from soaring oil prices due to supply shocks, which may lead to increased quarterly dividends and share repurchase plans.
- Energy Transfer's Distribution Growth: As a master limited partnership, Energy Transfer boasts a forward dividend yield of 6.75%, and in light of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, it is expected to exceed its previous annual distribution growth target of 3%-5% due to rising demand for U.S. oil exports.
- Occidental Petroleum's Potential Gains: Occidental Petroleum's stock has surged 38% year-to-date, and if supply shocks persist, its earnings could exceed analyst forecasts of $5.42 per share, with potential for stock prices to reach high double-digit levels if oil prices continue to rise.
See More
Berkshire Hathaway's Major Portfolio Overhaul Under Greg Abel
- Portfolio Restructuring: Under Greg Abel's leadership, Berkshire Hathaway's equity portfolio underwent significant changes in the first three months, adding Delta Air Lines and Macy's, indicating a renewed focus on the airline and retail sectors.
- Massive Alphabet Stake Increase: Berkshire increased its stake in Google's parent company Alphabet by 224% in Q1, making it the company's seventh-largest holding with a market value of $16.6 billion, and the stock has rallied 38% since, showcasing the success of this decision.
- Reduction in Holdings: Abel dramatically cut the number of companies in the portfolio, selling off major stakes including Amazon and Visa, with Amazon's shares reduced from 10 million to 2.3 million, reflecting a significant strategic shift in investment focus.
- Return to Delta Airlines: Berkshire purchased 39.8 million shares of Delta Air Lines in Q1, currently valued at $2.8 billion, marking the company's first return to airline stocks since 2020, demonstrating confidence in the recovery of the airline industry.
See More
Analysis of Long-Term Investment Potential in Energy Stocks
- Chevron's Growth Potential: Chevron operates in 180 countries and is expected to achieve a 23% CAGR in EPS from 2025 to 2028, primarily driven by the expansion of its Tengiz Field in Kazakhstan and production growth in the U.S., showcasing its strong competitive position in the global energy market.
- Williams Companies' Market Positioning: As a midstream company, Williams operates over 33,000 miles of pipelines, with analysts projecting an 11% CAGR in adjusted EBITDA from 2025 to 2028, benefiting from sustained demand for natural gas, particularly in the AI and data center sectors.
- Brookfield Renewable's Green Energy Strategy: Brookfield Renewable has established 47 GW of renewable capacity and secured long-term power agreements with major clients like Microsoft and Google, with expected adjusted EBITDA growth of 5% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, indicating strong growth potential in the renewable energy sector.
- Attractiveness of Energy Stocks: All three companies offer sustainable high dividend yields, with Chevron, Williams, and Brookfield yielding 3.8%, 2.7%, and 4.3% respectively, providing stable returns for investors amidst economic fluctuations, enhancing their appeal as long-term investments.
See More
